Interchangeable filing tray



H. W. EHLER.

INTERCHANGEABLE FILING TRAY.

APPLICATION FlLED AUG-19.1919.

1,409, 1 60. at t d Mar- 14, 1922-.

ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES HERMAN W. EHLER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

INTERCHANGEABLE FILING TRAY.

Application filed August 19, 1919.

T 0 all rv/r0112 it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN WV. EIILER, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York city, in the county of Kings and State of New York,have invented new and useful Improvements in Interchangeable FilingTrays, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to filing devices and particularly to a file of thetype generally used on desks.

In the usual course of business routine, particularly where there is alarge amount of paper work, filing devices are employed for a largenumber of different purposes; and several special types of files havebeen developed, each adapted to a particular use.

One type, known as a distributing file, is provided with a plurality ofcompartments, into which papers of various natures are sorted, usuallyat the desk where they are received.

Another type, ordinarily termed a tickler file, is adapted to receivepapers etc. so marked or arranged, as by marginal clips, index cardsetc., that attention will be called automatically to the proper paperwhen occasion arises.

A third type, also in general use, is known as a sorting file, andcomprises one or a plurality of com artments, each preferably subdividedas y alphabetical or other index cards, the papers, usually in the formof correspondence, being sorted by placing them under the proper indexbefore transferring them to the general files or elsewhere.

Other needs of ofiice practice, varying with individual conditions, aremet by various types of desk files, many of which are provided with aplurality of compartments. The development of so many special types offiles has put an added burden on manufacturer, merchant and user, as themanu facturer must produce and the merchant keep in stock a large numberof different types; and the user must pay the resulting higher price. Myinvention provides a file which can be used for any or all of thepurposes above-enumerated; furthermore, it is a distinct improvementwhen used as a distributing, a sorting or a tickler file over devicesfor such purposes now on the market,

as will be more particularly indicated after the construction of my filehas been made clear.

I have also produced a file composed of a Specification of'LettersPatent.

Patented Mar. 14, 1922. Serial No. 318,506.

relatively small number of easily manufac tured parts, preferably havingdetachable connectlons so that the parts may be omitted or added to suitthe file to particular requ rements, giving a wide range ofadaptability. Moreover, the manufacturer need produce but one type offile, and the merchantor user, by keeping on hand a supply or standardparts, can adapt the file to any required use, Damaged parts can easilybe replaced; and in a preferred form the parts are so arranged that whendetached they may be packed in a very convenient and compact packagereadily adapted to be sent through the mails in quantities, which wouldbe impractical and expensive with the usual bulky file.

Other objects and advantages of my construction will be apparent fromthe followmg description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the file, showing partsin position for assembly.

Figure 2 is a sembled file.

Figure 3 and Figure 4: is a similar view of the disassembled file withthe parts nested in position for shipping.

The file includes a base having a floor portion which may be composed ofspaced floor plates 10. The floor portion may be supported in anydesired way, preferably by connecting sides 11 and ends 12 to form aframework. If desired, sides 11 may be continuous with floor plates 10,and ends-12 may be formed of relatively heavy strip metal, the endsthereof extending along the inside of sides ll-and attached thereto toform a bracing frame therefor as at 13. Suitable means is preferablyprovided for supporting the base when the file is to be used on a deskor other surface likely to be scratched. Various forms of support may beprovided: but in the preferred form the lower edges of sides 11 areextended inwardly to form bottom flanges 14 upon which are mountedrubber studs 15 or any other suitable support. I preferablyconperspective view of the asis a transverse sectional view,

struct the file with end panels 16 and side panels 17 mounted on thebase. The end panels 16 may be permanently attached to ends 12 of thebase; but in the preferred form are detachably connected to the base.n

' positioned in through base end -21 may be attached and in closecontact with the ing pins 21 mounted close juxtaposition Various formsof detachable connections are ractical. I have disclosed mounting pinsform the two pins on each-side of the base by bending upwardly the endsof a rod 19 attached adjacent the lower edge of the side 11, as bycrimping said lower edge around the rod toform a tubular bearing orholder 2O in which the rod is preferably rotatable for a purpose whichwill be hereinafter ex-- plained.

Side panels 17 are preferably detarhably mounted either on the base oron end panels 16. I have disclosed one form of mounting,

consisting of a pair of side panel position- 7 adjacent the ends of theupper edge of each panel and extending downwardly, being adapted to seatin the upper ends of corresponding sockets 18, panel 17 and pins 21being preferably so dimensioned and located that said panel,

has its ends in when in assembled position,

to end panels 16 and its lower end against the base preferably slightlyoverlapping the upper portion of base sides 11, as shown in Figure 3.Pins to side panel 17 in any desired manner; but I preferably show the-pins'as consisting of the down-turned ends of a rod 22 attached to theupper edge of the panel as by rolling said edge around rod 22 forming aholding roll or head 23.

I preferably provide a plurality of re-:

movable partitions mounted transversely or follower blocks 2s to thefile and between side panels 17. These follower blocks are slidablymounted on the base in any desired manner, several standard methodsbeing known for this purpose. I have disclosed a slide member 25'attached to the lower edge of each partition, preferably consisting of astrip of relatively heavy metal having spaced walls 26 slidab'ly mountedon slide rod 27 the base in any desired way, threading the forward end12 and engaging the'opposite end of the slide rod 27 with the opsnch asby posite base end, the threaded end of the slide 'rod being preferablyprovided with v j knurled handle insertion the rod. .Sl-i'de rod 27preferjab'ly passes through 28' for the ready removal and apertures 29in end panels 16, serving as means for holding the panels assembled inposition. The apertures in the walls 26 of slide member 25 are soproportioned that the partition 2% may be readily slid lengthwise of thefile, any pressure thereon by papers in the file serving to slightl tiltslide member 25 and to clamp it against the slide rod in awell-knownmannor. may be attached to a side 11 for re3eiving a slip bearing adescription of the contents of the file.

It will be apparent that my file consists of a base and a plurality ofrelatively flat members. .lVhcn disassembled, these members can bepacked flat against the inside'of the base in various ways, forming 'avery compact package. F or this purpose, positioningpins 17 arepreferably forcedrdown and under the base, rod 19 rotating inholder 20.In the arrangement shown in Figure 1, V

2a are packed inside of the the partitions are laid lengthwise base.Side panels 17 If desired, the usual slotted holder 30 along floorplates 10 with holders 23 toward the middle; and end panels 16 areplaced above and across the side panels.

It will be apparent that by using my file with either one 'orboth sidepanels removed, or with both side panels providing a suitablenuniber ofpartitions, or follower blocks 24:, the file is adapted for all of thepurposes above enumerated and in place, and by be plared By using acompartservice are uniformly constructed witlrboth sides open, so thatpapers slipped in: from one side very frequently pass completely thpoughthe file and fall out o'f'theoppo'site Sl( e. 1

' Furthermore, such files have not been constructed with partitions'slidably adjustable so that the compartments can be accuratelyregulated as'to size, such-files only having a plurality of positions inwhich the partitions may be fixed, any adjustment requiring theloosening of parts, the removal of the partition and its location in anew position substantially spaced from the original location. here onlya few papers are to be placed in a compartment or where thepapers arerelatively flexible and tend to slide down and curl up in a widecompartment. the advantage of accurate and ready adjustment of thecompartment size, without any loosen-,

ingvof parts, will be apparent. w

Distributing files aregsometi mes used in the middle of double deskswhere papers Ill are inserted from both sides of the file.

For this purpose, both side panels 17 may be removed and the file usedin the usual way, except for the improved method of accurately adjustingthe size of each compartment. l

The file may also be used as a sorting file, preferably with both sidepanels 17 in place. The ordinary sorting file is provided either with nofollower block or has a single block only. Where papers are to bedivided into several general classes and each class is to be subdivided,alphabetically or otherwise, my file oficrs distinct advantages, as anysuitable number of partitions 24 may be inserted at will and index cardsor other subdividing means may be located in each compartment formed bythe partitions. v

Similar advantage is gained when the file is used'as a tickler file withor without a side partition removed, for tickler files of this sortgenerally consist merely of an enclosed file with or without a singlefollower block, It is often desirable to have several classifications ina ticlrler, and such classifications sometimes change, interchangeablepartitions 24 rendering the file thoroughly elastic to meet therequirements of any desired system.

. Furthermore, it will be apparent that the file'may be adapted to agreat variety of set requirements incident to the needs of differ entbusinesses, for which it has been necessary either to improvise ormanufacture a special file or where the difiiculty and expense ofobtaining a suitable file has prevented the use of such a system.

My file is preferably constructed throughout ofsheet metal, which in thepreferred form may consist entirely of a relatively small number ofsimple stampings, rendering the construction very easy and inexpensive,while the system of assembly is such that the file is as self-supportingand. rigid as if the parts were permanent. I have also constructed andarranged the parts so that a minimum of metal is used. accomplishine, asubstantial saving where files are made in large quantity, particularlyimproving over the common type of dist-ribut-i11 file which is soconstructed that a relatively large amount of metal is used therein.

Furthermore, the provision of spaced floor plates 10 and slide rod27permits the use of a common and popular style of index card having aprojecting tab adjacent the middle of its lower edge with a hole thereinthrough which slide rod 27 is adapted to pass, locking the index card inposition.

It is to be understood that, while my file is intended for use entirelyon desks or in similar places, attachments thereto may readily bedevised for adapting it to be placed in filing cabinets, though while.cer-

tain features of my invention may be applicable to the type of filesused in connection with filing cabinets, my construction is primarily animprovement of desk files and particularly adapted for such use.

While I have described a preferred form of my invention and certainmodifications thereof, I do not consider my invention to be limitedthereto as various other changes may be made within the spirit of theinvention as set forth in the specification.

I claim:

1. In a filing device, a base, end panels detachably mounted on thebase, vertical side panels detacha-bly connected to the end panels andlocated adjacent the side edges of the end panels and the base.

2. In a filing device, a base, end panels detachably mounted thereon,and a plurality of transverse partitions longitudinally slidablerelative to the base to produce a plurality of compartments adjustableincapacity.

3. Ina filing device, a base, end panels mounted thereon, a plurality oftransverse partitions longitudinallyl slidable relative to the base toproduce a plurality of compartments adjustable in capacity, and sidepanels detachably mounted on the end panel and located adjacent the sideedges of the base and the end panels.

4:. In a filing device, a base, oppositely disposed panels detachablymounted upon the base and a plurality of transverse partitions slidablerelative to the base to produce a plurality of compartments adjustablein capacity.

5. In a filing device, a base, oppositely dis posed panels detachablymounted upon'the base, a second set of oppositely disposed panelsdetachably mounted upon the first named panels, and a plurality oftransverse partitions slidable relative to the base to pro duce aplurality of compartments.

6. In a filing device, a base, a plurality of transverse partitionslongitudinally slidable relative to the base to produce a plurality ofcompartments adjust-able incapacity, end panels detachably mounted onthe base and side panels detachably connected to the end panels.

7. In a filing device, a base, upstanding mounting pins carried by thebase adjacent the corners thereof, end panels and sockets carried by theend panels adapted to slidably engage the pins to detachably mount thepanels at the ends of the base.

8. In a filing device, a base, end panels mounted thereon, vertical sidepanels, mounting pins carried thereby adjacent the upper cornersthereof, sockets carried by the end panels adjacent the lateral edgesthereof adapted to slidably receive said pins so as to detachably mountthe side panels on the end panels.

I jacent 9. In a filing device, a base, upstanding mounting pins carriedby the base adjacent thecorners thereof, end panels, sockets carried bythe end panels adapted to slidably engage the pins to detachably mountthe panels at the ends of the base, vertical side panels, mounting pinscarried thereby adthe upper corners thereof, sockets carried by the endpanels adjacent the lateral edges thereof adapted to slidably receivesaid pins so as to detachably mount the side panels on the end panels.

10. In a filing device, a base, a longitudinal rod rotatably mountedadjacent end of the side edges of the base and having up-turned endsadjacent the corners of the base forming mounting pins, and end panelshaving sockets mounted thereon adapted to slidably engage the pins so asto mount said panels adjacent the endsof the base.

11. In a filing device, a base, end panels mounted thereon, verticalside panels, a longitudinal rod mounted on each side-panel, and held inposition by theoverturned upper edge of said panel, the ends of each rodprojecting beyond the side panel and having suitably bent terminalportions, and sockets carried by theend panels adapted to engage saidterminal portions to detachably mount the side panels adjacent the sideedges of the end panels and the base.

12. In a filing device, a base, including a floor portion made of sheetmetal, sides continuous and integral with the floor portion, and acontinuous sheet metal strip attached to the inner faces of the sidesandextending across the ends of the base, said fioor portion, sides andstrip forming a unitary base structure, and end anelsmounted on saidbase.

13. In a filing device, a base including a pair of spaced fiat floorplates, sides integral with the floor plates, flat end portionsconnected to the sides, a slide rod engaging the end portions andlocated between adjacent edges of the floor plates, and a verticalmember slidable along the slide rod.

14. In a filing device, a base, including a fiat floor portionconstructed of sheet metal, sides integral with the floor portion,flatends connected to the sides, said floor portion, sides and. endsforming. a unitary base, a longitudinal rod rotatably mounted on eachside portion adjacent the lower edge thereof and having up-turned endsforming mounting pins, and end panels having their side edges rolledinwardly to. provide sockets adapted to receiveslidably the mountingpins and tomount the end panels on-the ends of the base.

15. In a filing device, abase, including a pair of fiat spaced 'fioorplates, sides, integrally connected to said plates, a longitudinal rodmounted on each of said sides adjacent the lower edge thereofandhavingup-turned ends forming mounting pins, end panels havinginwardly rolled lateraledges adapted to form slide sockets-for themounting pins to detachably mount the end panels adjacent the ends ofthe base, side panels having longitudinal rods attached thereto adjacenttheir upper edges, each rod'havingdown-turned end portions adapted toslidably engage said sockets to detachably'mount the. side panel on theend panel,- a slide rod Inounted'longitudinally on the base and locatedbetween the spaced floor (plates, and transverse. vertical partitionssli ably mounted'onsaid sliderod. In testimony: whereof I have hereunto.set

my hand. V

HERMAN. W. EHLER,

